It all started as a casual conversation about a new book idea over coffee last March. Despite being self-published with no marketing budget, my first book, “The Rise of the Reluctant Innovator“, had gone down particularly well and I had been encouraged by how well it had been received, particularly in academia.

It’s been a busy few months as our new book – “The Rise of the Reluctant Innovator” – has been taking shape. We’ve been finalising chapter contributions, working on the introduction, sorting out cover and chapter designs, doing last minute copy-editing, building a new website, keeping Kickstarter supporters up-to-date, and pulling in book endorsements.

“Despite all of the ghastliness in the world, human beings are made for goodness. The ones that are held in high regard are not militarily powerful, nor even economically prosperous. They have a commitment to try and make the world a better place” – Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Guilty admission. I am a fault finder. Show me a perfect rose and I will find the petal that is slightly wilted. Or at least that’s how I grew up. I’ve spent much of my adult life learning to behave differently but it still comes out from time to time. What’s wrong with being critical?

Last month I attended the Global Competitiveness Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. More business-focused than developmental, it gave me the chance to take our work not only to a new audience, but to a new region.

Tim Smit may be an extraordinary individual, but he’s no ordinary entrepreneur. Founder of The Eden Project – described by some as the “Eighth Wonder of The World” – Tim has taken an unconventional if not fascinating path.

SocialEdge kicked off a new discussion yesterday, led by Ashoka's own Rosa Wang.Â Continuing on the heels of Tech4Society earlier this month, here's where the discussion starts:"Technology & Social Innovations

If you are a regular reader, you know by now about the Tech4Society event Ashoka is hosting with the Lemelson Foundation in Hyderabad in February. Though I wonâ€™t be there, I am excited for our team putting on the event and am anxiously looking forward to the commentary and insights weâ€™ll gain from the gathering.

Picture of Aaron Koblin's airplane flight pattern (by flickr/Steve Rhodes)
Any social entrepreneur who has ever pitched an idea to a donor, or explained a service to a beneficiary knows the importance of good salesmanship: a great story, narrative, catchy graphic design materials, in short, an artistic representation of a concept.

Every first Wednesday of the month Ashoka gather's on Twitter to discuss topics in Social Entrepreneurship. This month we are talking about Innovations in Rural Development in Africa and India.
Want to be part of the conversation or simply see what people are talking about? Go to http://search.twitter.com from 12-2pm today and enter #SocEntChat. Everyone is welcome to join!